SENIOR COUNSEL - LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT - 72002312 1

Requisition No: 833852 

Agency: Management Services

Working Title: SENIOR COUNSEL - LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT - 72002312 1

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 72002312 

Salary:  $90,000.00 

Posting Closing Date: 01/06/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Senior Counsel – Labor & Employment

Office of General Counsel

State of Florida Department of Management Services

This position is located in Tallahassee, FL

The Work You Will Do:

Do you thrive on tackling complex labor and employment issues and want to make an impact at a higher level? If so, our Senior Counsel position is perfect for you!

As a Senior Counsel, you'll be more than just a legal advisor. You'll handle the day-to-day legal issues of our Human Resources office and support the Division of State Human Resource Management. This division is responsible for collective bargaining and setting policies for the entire State Personnel System. Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing expert advice on collective bargaining activities and administering state labor contracts.
• Providing advice and counsel on state employment programs such as attendance, leave, classification, and compensation.
• Serving as a resource for other labor and employment attorneys within the State Personnel System, offering guidance on unique and complex legal issues.

How You Will Grow:

Because the Department plays a significant role in the labor and employment policy of the State Personnel System, this position offers the right candidate an opportunity to see how different policies affect a myriad of occupational groups with specialized characteristics. By applying strong analytical skills, this position can assist in streamlining and simplifying what can otherwise be complex governance schemes. This position also offers the opportunity to learn about a vast array of federal law that impacts these areas. This position will receive support in these endeavors from not only the supervising Deputy General Counsel (who himself has a labor and employment background), but also from outside counsel the Department currently retains.

The Office of General Counsel also supports attorney development by providing Continuing Legal Education opportunities and allowing its attorneys to gain exposure to other areas of the law that the office assists with by promoting collaboration and cross-training in these highly specialized areas (e.g., real estate, information technology, health care). Ultimately, this position will allow the right candidates the opportunity to gain practical experience and grow professionally while working alongside a team of talented and professional attorneys in a collegial atmosphere.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Work-Life Balance: DMS does not have a billable hour requirement for its attorneys and encourages employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance. On day one, and then on each annual anniversary date, the attorney will receive 176 hours of discretionary leave and 104 hours of sick leave.

Health Insurance: State of Florida attorneys enjoy top-tier benefits offerings including comprehensive health coverage to meet the needs of you and your family while maintaining low deductibles and low monthly out-of-pocket contributions totaling only $8.00 per month for individual coverage and $30.00 per month for family coverage. 

Retirement Options: State employees enjoy the option of selecting between the FRS Pension Plan and the FRS Investment Plan for retirement. 

Continuing Education: As an additional benefit, state employment affords you the opportunity to take part in the tuition waiver program within the state university and community college systems.

For a more complete list of benefits, visit https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/.

Pay Range:$90,000

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

The attorney should possess the following:
 

• Knowledge of laws, rules, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, and agency policies and procedures or ability to thoroughly research such.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to collect, evaluate, and analyze data.
• Ability to plan, organize, coordinate, and timely complete work assignments.
• Ability to use logic and analysis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Basic proficiency in office information technology. 

Qualifications:

• A juris doctor from an accredited law school.
• Admission to, and good standing with, the Florida Bar.
• At least three years of experience as a licensed attorney.
• At least two years of labor or employment law experience.
• Experience with employment litigation is highly desired.
• Experience with Florida’s Sunshine Law is highly desired.
• Experience with bill analyses is highly desired.

Our Organization and Mission:
Under the direction of Governor Ron DeSantis and DMS’ Executive Leadership Team, the Florida Department of Management Services (DMS) is a customer-oriented agency with a broad portfolio that includes the efficient use and management of real estate, procurement, human resources, group insurance, retirement, telecommunications, fleet, and federal property assistance programs used throughout Florida’s state government. It is against this backdrop that DMS strives to demonstrate its motto, “We serve those who serve Florida.”

Special Notes:
DMS is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. We recognize the extensive training, experience and transferrable skills that veterans and individuals with disabilities bring to the workforce.  Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact our recruiter for guidance and answers to questions through the following provided email addresses:
DMS.Ability@dms.myflorida.com
DMS.Veterans@dms.myflorida.com
An individual with a disability is qualified if he or she satisfies the skills, experience, and other job related requirements for a position and can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must contact the DMS Human Resources (HR) Office at (850) 488-2707. DMS requests applicants notify HR in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.
Successful completion of background screening will be required for this position.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.